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Calif. man denies cashing dead mom’s checks

A former San Diego history professor has pleaded not guilty to cashing his dead mother's Social Security and pension checks for 15 years.
/ Source: The Associated Press

A former San Diego history professor has pleaded not guilty to cashing his dead mother's Social Security and pension checks for 15 years.

Rand Washburn, who taught at the University of California, San Diego, pleaded not guilty Monday to two counts of grand theft. The 65-year-old faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of cashing $304,000 in checks sent to his mother. She was last seen in 1994 and her remains were buried in her backyard.

Washburn has been cleared of any wrongdoing in his mother's death.

Prosecutors say Washburn cashed $158,000 from the Social Security Administration and $146,000 from the California Public Employees Retirement System.